Surgical treatment of chronic osteomyelitis complicating fractures; 6 year interim follow-up

The loss to continued follow-up of 25 of the 50 patients with chronic osteomyelitis complicating fractures who were treated surgically during the period January 1969 to December 1971 as previously reported, compromises the value of even a 6-year follow-up study. The group of patients lost to follow-up had dry asymptomatic wounds when last examined. However, late recurrence of drainage in 4 patients with dry healed wounds for as long as 15 to 36 months (Procedure 1 in 3, Procedure 2 in 1) demonstrates the uncertainty of the end results of even the most exacting techniques and appropriate antibiotics for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.